Common Lower Back Pain questions

As a Physical Therapist, I get so many questions about what do about Lower back Pain. I have listed several of them below and will answer them as well. However, the list is long enough that I am not going to answer them all today. Over the next few Blogs, I will hit them all. I am sure that if you are experiencing back pain, you have asked one or more of these questions.

As always, when you have questions about your health, it is important to ask you Doctor.

Here are some common questions that I have been asked about Lower Back Pain:

• What is causing my back pain?
• Do I need to have any tests?
• What treatment do I need?
• What should I do if the treatment doesn't make me feel better?
• Do I need to stay in bed or rest?
• Can I still go to work?
• How long will it take for me to get better?
• What else can I do to make my back feel better?
• Are there any exercises that can make my back stronger?
• Are there any alternative or complementary therapies that might help?
• What can I do to avoid getting a backache again?
• Is it all right for me to drive?
• What is the difference between a herniated disc and a bulging disc?
• Are there any medications I can take for pain?
  
• I just injured my back, but it doesn't hurt enough to go into the doctor. What can I do?
  

Do any of these sound familiar? I am sure they do. Stay tuned for the answers in the next several posts.